Competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi — a six-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion — has announced his retirement from the sport.
Joey Chestnut‘s longtime opponent revealed the news in the Netflix documentary, “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut” … saying he’s ready to focus on his well-being and repair the damage he’s done to his body over the past two decades.
Kobayashi rose to fame after winning his first Fourth of July contest in 2001 … and went on to earn the mustard belt five more times.
Chestnut dethroned the Japanese standout in 2007 … and the two would go on to have epic battles for years to come.
But everything came to a screeching halt in 2010 … when Kobi reportedly found himself in a contract dispute with Major League Eating. He famously attended that year’s hot dog contest as a spectator … and was arrested after hopping onstage at the conclusion of the event.
He continued to show off his wild eating accomplishments over the next several years … but never returned for a rematch against Jaws.
Kobi explained his decision … saying he lost his appetite and ability to even smell food — which was a wake-up call for him to make drastic lifestyle changes.
He said … “I want to live a healthy and long life, so I’ve decided to quit competitive eating contests.”
